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1. Policy Purpose
The purpose of this policy is provide for the annual municipal registration of
Kentville Volunteer Fire Department, as well as establishment of a fire area
rate for capital purchases for the Department.
2. Policy Application
This policy shall apply solely to Kentville Volunteer Fire Department, and any
successors according to law.
3. Definitions
a. "Fire Chief" means Fire Chief of Kentville Volunteer Fire Department.
b. "Kentville Volunteer Fire Department" means the Kentville Volunteer Fire
Department incorporated under the Societies Act of Nova Scotia.
c. "Town" shall mean Town of Kentville.
4. Legislation
Section 294 of the Municipal Government Act states
(1) A body corporate may apply to a municipality for registration as a fire
department.
(2) A municipality shall not refuse to register a body corporate that complies
with this Act if the
(a) municipality is satisfied that the body corporate is capable of providing
the services it offers to provide;
(b) body corporate carries liability insurance, as required by the
municipality;
(c) body corporate does not provide the fire services for profit; and
(d) municipality does not provide the same services for the same area.
(3) A fire department, including a fire department of a municipality, village
or fire protection district, shall register in each municipality in which it
provides emergency services.
(4) A registered fire department shall provide the municipality with a list of
specific emergency services it will endeavour to provide and the area in
which the services will be provided.
Policy 108
FIRE SERVICES
(5) Registration continues in force until withdrawn by the municipality for
cause or the fire department requests that the registration be revoked.
(6) A municipality may grant or lend money to, or guarantee a loan for, a
registered fire department for operating or capital purposes.
(7) A municipality may grant or lend assets, without charge, to a registered
fire department.
(8) Registration does not make a fire department an agent of a municipality.
(9) A registered fire department is not a municipal enterprise pursuant to the
Finance Act.
Section 48 of the Municipal Government Act states that
(1) Before a policy is passed, amended or repealed the council shall give at
least seven days notice to all council members.
(3) In addition to matters specified in this Act or another Act of the
Legislature, the council may adopt policies on any matter that the council
considers conducive to the effective management of the municipality.
5. Fire Services Registration
a. Fire Chief of Kentville Volunteer Fire Department shall annually apply for
registration as a fire service provider within Town of Kentville, by filling out
and submitting the required form as designated by the Town from time to
time.
b. The application for fire service registration shall be submitted by January
31st of each year for the following year, and include the services to be
provided and the qualifications held to provide such services.
c. Prior to March 31st of each year, the Town shall review Kentville Volunteer
Fire Department's application for fire service registration and either
approve, decline, or seek further clarification for such application.
6. Fire Capital Area Rate
a. Town of Kentville agrees to levy an area rate of 4.5 cents per one
hundred dollars of assessment on all taxable properties within the Town
each year beginning on April 1, 2026, to be provided to Kentville
Volunteer Fire Department for the acquisition of fire fighting capital
assets only.
b. Notwithstanding Section 6a, the Town shall levy a 4% administration fee
for the billing, collection, and remittance of the fire capital area rate,
with such fee to be withheld by the Town according to the same pro-
rated percentage of scheduled payments throughout the year.
c. Payment of the fire capital area rate shall be as denoted in the
agreement between Town of Kentville and Kentville Volunteer Fire
Department entered into in January 2026.
7. Repeal
Policy G13, Fire Area Rate, approved on the 24th day of January, 2017, is
hereby repealed.
Policy G8, Registration of Fire and Emergency Service, approved on the
24th day of January, 2017, is hereby repealed.
Policy G15, Fire Protection Rate, approved on the 24th day of January,
2017, is hereby repealed.
Seven Day Notice of Policy:
January 12, 2026
Council Approval:
January 26, 2026
In Effect:
January 26, 2026
This is to certify that Policy 108, Fire Services, was approved by Town Council on
the 26th day of January, 2026.
Original signed by Andrew Zebian Original signed by Chris McNeill
_____________________________________ ______________________________________
Mayor Clerk